Dogfighting penalties would be toughened under bills approved by Michigan Senate

A dog lies in a cage inside a Genesee County Animal Control van during the execution of a raid by members of the Genesee County Sheriff Department earlier this year.MLive.com file photo

LANSING, MI – Penalties for staging fights between dogs or another animals would become tougher under bills winning final approval from Michigan lawmakers.

The Michigan Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 358 and sent it to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. The Senate also unanimously approved House Bill 5789, while Senate Bill 356 was sent to Snyder previously.

The bills would declare properties involved in animal fighting a “nuisance” subject to padlocking -- much like houses involved with prostitution, drugs or gambling. In some cases, the property could be subject to seizure or forfeiture. One of the measures would include animal fighting as an offense that could lead to racketeering charges under certain circumstances.

Lawmakers are approving the bills in the wake of increased reports dogfighting and animal fighting in Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo and other locations.

“It’s something we’re sorely needing in the state,” Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, said of the tougher penalties. “We had laws on the books that banned animal fighting and dogfighting, but the penalties and the tools for prosecutors to go after these people weren’t strong enough.”

Bieda called dogfighting a “barbaric” practice that has seen a resurgence in recent years.